Pushbutton device

ABSTRACT

In a pushbutton control device having a plurality of actuator members movable between first and second positions within a support housing for operating associated switches or the like, each actuator is biased towards its first position and is provided with an associated detent member for retaining its respective actuator in its second position, and the individual detent members are interconnected by a force transmitting mechanism which is adapted to release the detent member of an actuator in its second position to permit return of that actuator to its first position in response to movement of any other actuators to its second position.

United States Patent Inventor Hideo Yokoyama Tokyo, Japan Appl. No.v21,403 Filed Mar. 20', 1970 Patented Dec. 7, 1971 Assignee SonyCorporation Tokyo, Japan Priorities Mar. 27, 1969 Japan 44/23291; I Mar.27, 1969, Japan, No. 44/27269; Apr. 18, 1969, Japan, No. 44/35678; Apr.1 v 1969,.Japan, No. 44135874 PUSHBU'I'ION DEVICE 12 Claims, 15 DrawingFigs. 9

US. Cl 74/483 PB, 74/1027, 200/5 E, 334/7 Int. Cl G05g 13/00 Field ofSearch 74/483 PB,

- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,298,226- 3/1919 Landis 74/483PB UX 1,704,582 3/l929 Stephenson 200/5 E X Primary ExaminerMiltonKaufman Attorneys Lewis H. Eslinger, Alvin Sinderbrand and Curtis,

Morris & Safford ABSTRACT: In a pushbutton control device having aplurality PATENTEU nzc 71am SHEET 2 BF 4 25% v 259 mvsmon 75g 8 yoYOKOYAMA ATTORNEY PATENTEnnEc 71911 I 3Q626l454 SHEEI30F4 INVENTOR "ZEDYOKOYAMA A TTORNE Y Pmmmm 719?: 3625454 SHEET 0F 4 2 as w 2/ F I G. 11.

FIG. 12.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY This invention relates generally to pushbutton controldevices, and more particularly to control devices having a plurality ofpushbutton control members movable between two operative positions andinterconnected such that as any one of the control members is moved toone of its operative positions, a control member previously in thatoperative position is returned to its other operative position.

Pushbutton control devices of the above type have previously beenproposed which utilize a relatively complex arrangement ofspring-mounted elongated plates or levers for interconnecting thecontrol members. While these devices have proved satisfactory forcertain applications, they are subject to numerous restrictions whichlimit their usefulness. In particular, these devices are limited toapplications wherein the control members are in longitudinal alignmentsince the operating levers can only function as-requiredif they arestraight members. Moreover, the number of control members which can beoperatively associated with each other in the control device is limited.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to increase thenumber of control members capable of operation in pushbutton controldevices of the described type, and more particularly to increase thisnumber and yet provide a device wherein the control members are slidablyoperable with a relatively soft manual touch.

Another object of the invention is to permit locating the controlmembers in pushbutton devices of the described type in a variety ofrelative positions and arrays.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a relativelyinexpensive and simply constructed pushbutton control device which isreadily operated by a soft manual touch.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a pushbutton controldevice is provided with a supporting housing containing a plurality ofactuators mounted therein for movement between a first position and asecond position in which, for example, the actuators are adapted toclose the contacts of an associated switch or the like. Each of theactuators is biased towards its first position, for example, by springloading of the associated switch, and has a recessed surface portionwithin the support housing. An individual ball detent is associated witheach of the actuators to hold the latter in its second position, and theseveral ball detents are operatively interconnected bydifferential-force-applying means, which urges each of the detentsagainst its associated actuator. In one embodiment this force-applyingmeans comprises generally trapezoidally shaped members positionedbetween the detents and between the latter and a pair of end bearingblocks, and the bearing blocks compact the trapezoidal members and thedetents and thereby urge the detents against their actuators. As anyindividual actuator is moved to its second position, its associateddetent is moved into the recessed portion thereof and the force appliedby the trapezoidal members to the detent associated with an actuatorpreviously moved to its second position is reduced, so that thepreviously moved actuator is returned to its first position.

The construction of a pushbutton control device in this manner and inaccordance with this invention eliminates the levers and springs ofprior devices which limited the size and configuration of such devices.Moreover, the present invention permits the construction of such devicesin numerous configurations and sizes and as more fully describedhereinafter permits the use of individual sectional support memberswhich may be interconnected to vary the size and arrangement of thedevice in accordance with specific requirements.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention,will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments of this invention which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pushbutton control deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed along theline I--I of FIG. 3;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line ll-Il of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III of FIG. I, and

another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the present inventionwherein the control members are located in a circular array;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line VIII- VIII of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. I, but showing still another embodimentof the present invention;.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, ofanother embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view, partly in section, taken on lineXII-XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a connecting-spring member utilized inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 11 and l2; 1

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing still anotherembodiment of the present invention with the actuator member being inits second position; and

FIG. 15 is a view similar to that of FIG. 14, but in which the actuatormember is in its first position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2thereof, it will be seen that the pushbutton control device embodyingthe present invention, as there shown, comprises a support member orhousing 10 formed by frame members l2 and 13 which receive actuators 14for operating respective switches 15. The frame members 12 and 13 arepreferably formed of a plastic which, while being substantially rigid,has some resiliency.

For convenience in describing the invention, each of the actuators l4and the various elements associated therewith are indicated withsubscripts a-e, and while only five such actuators are shown in thedrawings and described, it is contemplated that any number of actuatorsmay be provided in a pushbutton control device incorporating the presentinvention in accordance with the requirements of the particularapplication involved.

Frame member 12 is formed with a plurality of individual chambers 16each of which is adapted to slidably receive one of the actuators 14 forsliding movement therein between a first position (FIG. 3) occupied byactuators 14a, b, d and e as seen in FIG. 2, and a second position (FIG.4) occupied by actuator in FIG. 2. The ends 18 of the actuators contactthe control members 20 of switches 15, and such control members 20 arebiased upwardly by spring means (not shown) to urge actuators 14 towardstheir first position which, for example, may correspond to the opencontact condition of the associated switches. In its second position,each of the actuators, e.g., actuator 14c, depresses control members 20,for example, to close the contacts of its associated switch 15c.

While actuators 14 are normally maintained in their first position underthe influence of control member 20, when any one of the actuators, forexample, actuator 14c, is moved to its second position, it is held thereagainst the bias of member 20 by an actuator control system 22 containedin a longitudinally extending chamber 24 formed in frame member 12. Asseen in FIG. 1, chambers 16 open into chamber 24 and actuator controlsystem 22 operatively interconnects the actuators I4, so that, as morefully explained hereinafter, as one actuator, 14d for example, is movedto its second position, any actuator, 140 for example, previously in itssecond position, is allowed to return to its first position under theurging of its associated spring biased control member 20.

Each actuator 14 is formed with an enlarged central portion or block 26slidably received the respective chambers 16 and having a cam or-detentsurface 28 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which is adapted to cooperate with a balldetent member 30 of actua tor control system 22 during operation of thedevice. Ball 30 is urged into contact with cam surface 28 by adifferential forceapplying mechanism forming part of control system 22and which, in the'embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, includes generallytrapezoidally shaped slide members 32 positioned for longitudinalmovement between adjacent ball detents 30. Members 32 have inclinedsurfaces 34 which engage balls 30 at points 35 on their surfaces lyingin intersecting tangentially extending planes which form an angletherebetween opening towards actuators 14. Balls 30and members 32 arecompacted or urged into contact with each other by bearing blocks 38contained within the end portions of chamber 24 adjacent the endmostball detents 30a and 30e.

Bearing blocks 38 have inclined surfaces 40, corresponding to surfaces34, engaging balls 30a and 30e at corresponding points 35 and aredisplaced towards each other by setscrews 42 threadably engaged in frame12. Thus, the longitudinal resilience of frame members 12 and 13longitudinally compacts system 22. In this manner, a pair of angularlyrelated forces, indicated by the arrows 41 on FIG. 1, are applied toeach ball 30 at points 35 and these forces combine in a resultant force43 which urges ball 30 into contact with surface 28 of the associatedactuator 14.

Cam surface 28 includes a recessed portion 28a, a central cam portion orshoulder 28b, and a land portion 280 (FIGS. 3 and 4) against whichresultant force 43 urges ball 30 during operation of the device. As seenin FIG. 3, when any actuator, for example actuator Me, is in its firstposition, its associated ball detent 302 is urged by surfaces 34 intocontact with land portion 28c of actuator 14e (FIG. 3) and the actuatoris held in its first position, for example, wherein the contacts ofswitch 15 are open, by the spring-biased control member 20. On the otherhand, when an actuator member, for example, actuator 140, is moved toits second position (FIG. 4), force 43 urges ball 300 into recess 280wherein it engages cam portion or shoulder 28b and holds actuator 14c inits second position against the upward bias of switch member 20.

Referring again to FIG. I, it will be seen that the relative movementsof the elements within actuator control system 22 are there illustratedduring movement of one actuator 12a from its first position to itssecond position. Initially, the elements are positioned, as showninsolid lines in FIG. 1, with actuator 14d in its first position andanother actuator, for example, actuator 140, in its second position,wherein ball 30d engages surface 28c of actuator 14d and ball 30cengages surface 280 of actuator 14c. When the upper pushbutton portionof actuator 14d is engaged and depressed, to move that actuator to itssecond position against the bias of its associated switch, the recessedportion 28a thereof is moved to a position opposite ball 304 which inturn, is moved (as shown in dotted lines in the drawing) by resultantforce 43 into engagement therewith. As ball 30d moves into recess 28a ittends to move away from slide 320, however, slide 320 is kept in contactwith ball 30d and is moved laterally to the right, that is towards ball3011, at a substantially right angle to the resultant force 43, underthe influence of the biasing forces applied by setscrews 42 and theswitch control member associated with previously depressed actuator 14cwhich urges the cam surface or shoulder 28b of actuator 14c upwardly tomove ball 30c out of its associated recessed portion and against slidemembers 32b and 32c. As slide member 32c is moved to the right, theangularly related forces 41 applied to ball 30c are reduced, and theupward biasing force of switch 15 and control member 20 moves actuator30c upwardly against the reduced resultant force 43 to return actuator140 to its first position.

The principles of operation of the device are the same for anycombination of actuators, and for example, if actuator 12a were in itssecond position and actuator 12c were being moved from its firstposition to its second position, all of the intermediate members, i.e.32a, b, c, d and balls 30b, c, d would move to the right, as seen inFIG. 1, to compensate for the movement of ball detent 30c and to releaseball detent 30a for return of actuator 14a to its first position.

It is thus seen that as any one actuator member is moved from its firstto its second position, for example, to close the contacts of itsassociated switch, any actuator previously decupying its second positionis automatically returned to its first position, for example, to openthe contacts of its associated switch. By this arrangement it should beevident that any number of actuator members may be-provided in housing10 since all of the elements in actuator control system 22 areoperatively interconnected for direct transmittal of forcestherebetween. and therefore, the force required for operating any one ofthe actuators will be substantially the same for any number ofactuators.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, andelements of this embodiment, and in the other hereinafter describedembodiments, which correspond to elements described above with respectto the embodiment of FIG. 1, are designated by like numerals andsubscripts. As seen in FIG. 5, the pushbutton control device 50 thereillustrated comprises a pair of frame or housing members 52 and 54 whichslidably receive actuator-members 14a-14e within chambers 16 and formedin frame member 52. In lieu of the trapezoidal slide members 32 of theprior embodiment, pushbutton control device 50 is provided with aplurality of balls 55 positioned between the detent balls 30 associatedwith each of the actuators 14. Frame members 52 and 54 cooperate toprovide an elongated chamber 56 having offset chamber portions 58located between actuators 14 and in which balls 55 are accommodated. Bythis construction the centers of balls 30 are closer to their associatedactuators 14 than are the centers of balls'55, and thus balls 55 engagethe surface of ball members 30 at points 35 which lie on intersectingtangentially extending planes defining an angle opening towardsactuators 14.

Bearing blocks 38 are again provided adjacent endmost detent members 300and 30e and are urged towards each other by setscrews 42 so that detents30 are held in contact with balls 55. In this manner the angularlyrelated forces 41 are ap plied to ball detents 30 and as before, theseforces combine. to form the resultant force 43 which urges ball detents30 into engagement with their associated actuator members. Ball members55 are free to slide within intermediate chamber sections 58 and thus,as any one of the actuator members 14 is moved to its second position,the balls 55 in the chamber may move longitudinally in the mannerdescribed above with reference to trapezoidal members 32.

The use of ball members 55 in lieu of trapezoidal members 32 reduces theamount of friction present within the device since balls 55 have minimalcontact with chambers 58. Further, it is evident that only a single ball55 or more than two balls may be used within a housing 50 havingappropriately dimensioned intermediate chambers 58. The completeoperation and function of the device is substantially the same as thatdescribed above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and thereforefurther detailed description thereof is not considered necessary.

FIG. 6 illustrates a pushbutton control device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention in which the actuators 14 aredisposed in a circular array in a generally circular-shaped housing 60.Housing 60 includes annular, concentric frame members 62 and 64 whichare also preferably formed of a substantially rigid, somewhat resilientplastic material. Member 62 corresponds to frame member 12 of theembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 and defines an annularchamber 66 which is adapted to receive the actuator control system 22(FIG. 8). In addition, frame member 62 provides a plurality of chambers68 arranged in a generally circular pattern and receiving the enlargedcentral portions 26 of actuators 14. Frame member 64 closes the innerside of chamber 66 and retains trapezoidal members 32 and detent balls30 of actuator control system 22 within that chamber. The detent balls30 are, as in the prior embodiments, urged towards the surfaces 28 ofactuators 14 by resultant forces 43 formed from the angularly relatedforces 41 applied to the detent balls by the trapezoidal members 32. Thedimensions of the trapezoidal members 32 and ball detents 30 areselected so that, when such elements are disposed within annular chamber66 and engaged with frame members 62 and 64, they are pressed againsteach other by the resilience of the frame members to provide the biasingforces supplied in the previous embodiments by setscrews 42 and bearingblocks 38. The biasing forces 41 and resultant forces 43 thus createdare sufficient to retain an individual actuator member in its second ordepressed position.

In FIG. 7, the actuator 14d is illustrated in its second position, andthe associated detent ball member 30d is shown engaged with recessedportion 28a. In this embodiment, as shown, the switches are eachconstituted by a pair of resilient contact strips 70 and 72,.which aremounted respectively on frame members 62 and 64 so as to be spaced fromeach other so long as the respective actuator 14 is in its raised firstposition. Strips 70 bias actuators 14 towards their first positions inwhich the switch contacts provided by strips 70 and 72 are open, as seenin FIG. 7 with respect to actuator l4j. When an individual actuatormember, for example the actuator 14d, is

depressed to its second position, its base portion 18 moves against theassociated strip 70d to engage the latter with contact strips 72d, andthe associated ball detent 30d moves into recessed surface portion 280to hold actuator 14d in its second position against the bias of lever70d. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when an actuator, for example actuatorMe, is moved to its second position, resultant force 43 applied to thedetent member of a previously depressed actuator, for example, actuator14d, is relieved so that actuator 14d is free to be returned to itsfirst position by the associated resilient contact strip 70d insubstantially thesame manner as the actuators of the prior embodiments.

The pushbutton actuator device of FIGS. 6-8 is particularly adapted foruse as a television channel selector, and the sets of resilient contactstrips 70 and 72 constituting switches may be employed to select or tunefor respective channels and also to suitably energize a number displaytube 74 contained within the generally cylindrical space 76 defined byframe member 64. Display tube 74 is mounted in frame 64 by an annularinsulation member 78 and operates in a well-known conventional manner sothat when an individual actuator member is depressed, for exampleactuator 14d, and its end portion 18 closes the contacts between strips70d and 72d, the display device 74 is energized and produces the imageof the number 4. This image is displayed through a window 75 in thehousing cover plate 77 for observation by a viewer. When anotheractuator member is depressed, for example actuator Me, the contactbetween strips 70d and 72d associated with actuator 141! is broken andthe numeral 4 fades from the display device; and, at the same time,contact strips 70e and 72e associated with actuator l2e are engaged tochange the selected channel and to display the corresponding numeral,for example, the numeral 5.

As mentioned. the structure of the present invention is adapted to beembodied in a variety of actuator arrangements and permits a wide choicein the number of actuators provided in an individual control unit InFIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated a pushbutton control device 80 inaccordance with the present invention in which each of the actuatormembers 14 is contained in an individual housing 82, each of which isadapted to be interconnected to another housing to vary the number ofactuators in the completed unit.

For illustrative purposes, three housing, 82a, b and c are shown in thedrawings, however, it is clear that any number of such housings may beprovided in accordance with the particular application in which thecontrol device is to be used. Each of the housings 82 is formed with achamber 84 which is adapted to slidably receive an actuator member 14,constructed in the same manner as the actuators of the priorembodiments. In addition, each of the housings includes a second chamber86 which corresponds to chamber 24 of the embodiment in FIG. I and whichcontains an actuator control system 88 constructed in accordance withthe present invention. This system includes a pair of slide members 90having, opposed inclined surfaces 92 adapted to contact a ball detentmember 30 at points 35 to apply the angularly related forces 41 to theball for urging it into engagement with the recessed surface portion 28aof its associated actuator member 14.

Each of the housings 82 further includes a first end portion 96 having athreaded exterior surface and a second opposed end portion 98 having acomplementary thread form on its interior surface, whereby the housingsare adapted to be connected in longitudinal alignment, as illustrated inFIG. 9. The slide members 90 within each of the housings extend into endportions 96 and 98 and, when the housings are threadably interconnected,the end surfaces 100 of slide members 90 are in direct contact, andeffectively form a single trapezoidal member between adjacent balldetents 30 which corresponds to a member 32 of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. I.

The end portion 96a of endmost housing 82a is threadably engaged by acap 102 having a stem portion I04 which abuts against the adjacent slidemember 90 to retain the slide within housing 820. The end portion 980 ofendmost housing 820, of the completed pushbutton device shown in FIG. 9,threadably receives a plug 106 having asetscrew 108 which engages theadjacent endmost slide member 90 within housing 820. Setscrew 108 isthreaded into plug 106 to contact endmost slide 90 and in cooperationwith cap 102 impresses a biasing force on the slides 90 to urge theslides into engagement with their associated ball detent members 30whereby the balls 30 are urged into contact with their associatedactuators in substantially the same manner as the detent members of theprior embodiments.

As shown on FIG. 10, the spring bias of each of the switches 7 15 maynot be relied upon for returning the respective actuators 14 to theirfirst positions. In that event, a compression spring member 110 isprovided about the upper portion 2 of each of the actuators to bias theactuator towards its first position. Spring 110 engages the top portion114 of each of the housings 82 at one end and at its other end engagesthe lower portion of pushbutton 116 formed at the top of the actuator.In this manner each of the actuators is urged to its first position andthe device is adapted to operate and function in substantially the samemanner as that described for the prior embodiments, but with the controlmember 20 of each switch 15 merely following the movements of theactuator 14.

FIGS. 11 and I2 illustrate a pushbutton control device 120 according toanother embodiment of the present invention wherein actuators 14 aremounted in individual housings 121 for operative interconnection withother like housings in order to vary the size and configuration of thepushbutton control device. In this embodiment, each of the housings 121is provided with a chamber 122 slidably receiving an individual actuatorl4 and a second chamber 124 adapted to receive the actuator controlmechanism 126. Control mechanism 126 includes a ball detent 30 adaptedto engage the surface 28 of its associated actuator 14 to retain theactuator in its second position as in the prior embodiments. Inaddition, mechanism 126 includes a pair of slide members 128 whichcorrespond to slide members 90 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 andwhich include inclined surfaces 130 serving to urge balls 30 intoengagement with their associated actuators.

However, the outer ends of the members 128 have curved surfaces 132which extend into end portions of the housings I21 and are adapted toengage the corresponding surfaces 132 of the slide members 128 containedwithin adjoining housings 121 when the housings are interconnected inthe manner hereinafter described. It is noted that slide members 128each include a stepped-down portion 129 adjacent curved surface 132 todefine a shoulder 131 on the slide which cooperates with a shoulder 133formed in chambers 124 to retain the slide within the respectivehousing.

Housings 121 are each provided with opposed pairs of arms 136 and 138which serve to pivotally interconnect adjacent housings 121 so thatcurved surfaces 132 of adjacent slides 128 are placed in direct contactwith each other for force transmittal therebctween. Arms 136 includegenerally downwardly extending projections 140 which are received withinsimilar generally circular recessed portions 142 formed in the offsetarms 138 of an adjacent housing. The pivotal connections thus providedpermit the housings to be disposed in any required positions withrespect to each other. The endmost slide member 128 in housing 121a isengaged by a stop member 144 fixed to housing 121a to abut and retainthe slide member. The opposed end of the group of interconnectedhousings 1210, b and c, illustrated in FIG. 1 l is provided with a cap146 fixed to the housing 121e in any conventional manner. This capthreadably receives a setscrew 148 which engages endmost slide member128 contained within housing 121C in order to urge slide members 128into contact with their associated ball detents 30 and thereby urge theballs into contact with the associated actuators 14.

In this embodiment, actuators 14 are provided with spring members 110surrounding their stem portions 112 to urge the actuators to their firstpositions. These spring members serve to supplement or to replace theupward biasing action of the group contained in switches 15 of priorembodiments.

To insure maintenance of the pivotal connection between housings 121, agenerally U-shaped spring member 150 (FIG. 13) may be provided to holdarms 136 and 138 in mutual engagement. Each such member 150 is shown toinclude a pair of projections 152, which are adapted to be received inrecesses 154 formed in arms 136 and 138 of adjacent housings. Referringto FIG. 12 it is seen that arms 136 and 138 are positioned such that anarm 138 of housing 121b is immediately above arm 136 of housing 121c.Spring member 150, having its projections 152 received in the recesses154 formed in each of these arms urges the arms apart, and intoengagement with the other arms 136 and 138 of housings 121, to maintainengagement therebctween.

FIGS. 14 and 15, which are similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, but illustrateanother embodiment of the present invention for use where the controlfunction to be performed may require both a linear displacement of theactuator and a rotational movement thereof. In this embodiment, housing160 may be similar in construction to the housing of the embodiment inFIG. 1 and contains an actuator control system 22 constructed inaccordance with that embodiment. In lieu of actuators 14, however,cylindrically shaped actuators 168 are provided which include a slidemember 166 contained within chamber 18 and have a cylindrically recessedsurface portion 166a, an annular cam-shaped portion or shoulder 166!)and a cylindrical land portion [666. By their generally cylindricalconstruction, actuators 166 are rotatable within chambers 18 and areeach adapted to engage the spring-biased control member 20 of theassociated switch in the same manner as the actuators 14 employed in theembodiment of FIG. 1. However, the end portion 168 of each actuator 162is also provided with a gear member 170 which is adapted to mesh with alarger gear member 172 when the actuator is in its second position, asseen in FIG. 14. Gear 172 may be connected to a variable value element,as for example, a variable resistor or capacitor. and therefore, when anactuator 162 is in its second position it may be rotated to vary thevalue of element 174. This arrangement is particularly adapted for usewith pushbutton channel selectors for television or radio sets, sincegenerally speaking it is desirable to have preset tuning for this typeof equipment. Accordingly, when one of the actuators 162 is moved to itssecond position it may be rotated to vary the value of the associatedcondenser or resistor 174 to preset the tuning thereof. Once thisadjustment is made the device need not be readjusted since the tuning ofeach of elements 174 is set and will remain at the preset value untilchanged. The basic operation of the pushbutton device of FIGS. 14 and 15is the same as that of the embodiment described above with respect toFIG. 1 with the additional preset tuning refinement and accordinglyfurther detailed description thereof is considered unnecessary.

While each of the above embodiments of the present invention has beendescribed as being adapted to operate electrical switches, particularlyin television or radio sets, it is apparent that pushbutton controldevices in accordance with the present invention may equally be adaptedfor use to control mechanical switches or valves, for regulating fluidflows. Further, although illustrative embodiments of the presentinvention have been described herein with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothose precise embodiments, and that various changes and modificationsmay be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope or spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pushbutton device for operating switches or the like, comprisingsupport means, a plurality of pushbutton members having actuatorsextending therefrom and being mounted in said support means for movementrelative thereto between first and second positions, means biasing saidactuators towards said first position, individual detent meansassociated with each of said actuators and being movable to an operativeposition when the respective actuator is moved to said second positionto hold said respective actuator in said second position, anddifferential force-transmitting means interconnecting said individualdetent means associated with said actuators and applying a biasing forceto each of said detent means to urge said detent means toward saidoperative position, said force applying means reducing the biasing forceapplied to the detent means of an actuator which has been previouslymoved to said second position and thereby permitting its return to saidfirst position in response to the movement of any other one of saidactuators to said second position thereof.

2. A control mechanism for switching units or the like, comprisingsupport means, a plurality of pushbutton control members extending fromsaid support means and being movable between first and second operativepositions, said members each having a recessed surface portion withinsaid support means, means urging said control members towards said firstoperative position, individual detent means in said support meansassociated with each of said control members and engaging the respectiverecessed surface portion when the associated control member ismoved toits second operative position for holding said associated control memberin said second position, differential forceapplying meansinterconnecting said detent means and applying a biasing force to eachof said detent means to urge said detent means against their associatedcontrol members, said force-applying means reducing the biasing forceapplied to the detent means associated with a control member previouslymoved to its second position, thereby to release said control member forreturn to its first position, in response to the movement of any otherone of said control members to said second position thereof.

3. A control mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said controlmembers are aligned in spaced relation within said support means, saidforce-applying means comprises means slidably mounted in said supportmeans between adjacent detent means for interconnecting said adjacentdetent means and for applying said biasing force thereto, whereby theinterconnecting means between a control member previously in its secondposition and any other control member are adapted to slide along a linegenerally perpendicular to said biasing force and towards said othercontrol member as said other control member is moved to its secondposition, to maintain contact with each of said detent means as saiddetents are moved into and out of engagement with said recessed actuatorsurface portions.

4. A control mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said detent meanscomprises ball detents and said interconnecting means comprises meansfor engaging said ball detents at two points on the spherical surfacesthereof lying on intersecting tangentially extending planes whichenclose an angle opening towards said actuator, whereby a pair ofangularly related forces are applied to each of said balls which combineto. provide said biasing force urging said ball detents against theirassociated control members.

5. A controlmechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein'said force-applyingmeans includes bearing blocks slidably mounted in said support meansadjacent the endmost ball detent members and means cooperating with saidsupport means for urging said bearing blocks towards each other andagainst said endmost ball detents whereby each of said detent balls isforced into contact with said engaging means to produce said angularlyrelated forces,

6. A control mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein saidinterconnecting means comprises a plurality of generally trapezoidallyshaped members, each of said members being positioned between anadjacent pair of individual detent means and having oppositely inclinedsurfaces lying in said intersecting tangential planes and adapted tocontact said ball detents for applying said angularly related forcesthereto.

7. A control mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein saidinterconnecting means includes at least one force-transmitting ballpositioned between said adjacent ball detents, each of saidforce-transmitting balls being offset from said ball detents wherebythey are adapted to engage said detents at said two points and applysaid angularly related forces thereto.

8. A control mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said controlmembers are aligned in a generally circular array in said supportmembers.

9. A control mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said support meanscomprises a plurality of individual support sections each of saidsupport sections containing at least one of said control members andmeans for operably interconnecting said support sections to form anintegral pushbutton control mechanism.

10. A control mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said supportmeans comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected supportsections, each of said sections being adapted to contain at least one ofsaid control members.

11. A control mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said controlmembers are generally cylindrically shaped members adapted to be rotatedwithin said housings.

l2. A'control mechanism for switching units or the like, comprising aplurality of elongated pushbutton control members each including arecessed surface portion and being adapted to be alternately movedbetween first and second operative positions, support means movablyreceiving the recessed portions of said control members and adapted tocontain said control members between said first and second positions,means for biasing said control members towards their first position, aball detent slidably contained in said support means adjacent each ofsaid control members and adapted to engage the respective recessedportion thereof when the associated control member is moved to saidsecond position, a plurality of trapezoidally shaped detent biasingmembers slidable within said support means, each of said biasing membersbeing positioned between an adjacent pair of ball detents, said biasingmembers having their nonparallel sides contacting said adjacent balldetents and defining an angle therebetween opening towards theirrespective control members, means urging said dentent'biasing memberstowards each other to apply a biasing force to each of said detents attheir points of contact with said nonparallel sides, said forcescombining to provide a resultant force urging said ball detents againsttheir associated control members, whereby, as one of said controlmembers is moved from its first to its second position its associatedball detent is moved into the respective recessed portion thereof bysaid resultant force to hold said one control member in said secondposition against the action of said biasing means, the biasing forcesapplied to the remainder of said detents being decreased by said balldetent movement to allow any control member previously in said firstposition to be returned to its second position by said biasing means.

1. A pushbutton device for operating switches or the like, comprisingsupport means, a plurality of pushbutton members having actuatorsextending therefrom and being mounted in said support means for movementrelative thereto between first and second positions, means biasing saidactuators towards said first position, individual detent meansassociated with each of said actuators and being movable to an operativeposition when the respective actuator is moved to said second positionto hold said respective actuator in said second position, anddifferential force-transmitting means interconnecting said individualdetent means associated with said actuators and applying a biasing forceto each of said detent means to urge said detent means toward saidoperative position, said force applying means reducing the biasing forceapplied to the detent means of an actuator which has been previouslymoved to said second position and thereby permitting its return to saidfirst position in response to the movement of any other one of saidactuators to said second position thereof.
 2. A control mechanism forswitching units or the like, comprising support means, a plurality ofpushbutton control members extending from said support means and beingmovable between first and second operative positions, said members eachhaving a recessed surface portion within said support means, meansurging said control members towards said first operative position,individual detent means in said support means associated with each ofsaid control members and engaging the respective recessed surfaceportion when the associated control member is moved to its secondoperative position for holding said associated control member in saidsecond position, differential force-applying means interconnecting saiddetent means and applying a biasing force to each of said detent meansto urge said detent means against their associated control members, saidforce-applying means reducing the biasing force applied to the detentmeans associated with a control member previously moved to its secondposition, thereby to release said control member for return to its firstposition, in response to the movement of any other one of said controlmembers to said second position thereof.
 3. A control mechanism asdefined in claim 2, wherein said control members are aligned in spacedrelation within said support means, said force-applying means comprisesmeans slidably mounted in said support means between adjacent detentmeans for interconnecting said adjacent detent means and for applyingsaid biasing force thereto, whereby the interconnecting means between acontrol member previously in its second position and any other controlmember are adapted to slide along a line generally perpendicular to saidbiasing force and towards said other control member as said othercontrol member is moved to its second position, to maintain contact witheach of said detent means as said detents are moved into and out ofengagement with said recessed actuator surface portions.
 4. A controlmechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said detent means comprisesball detents and said interconnecting means comprises means for engagingsaid ball detents at two points on the spherical surfaces thereof lyingon intersecting tangentially extending planes which enclose an angleopening towards said actuator, whereby a pair of angularly relatedforces are applied to each of said balls which combine to provide saidbiAsing force urging said ball detents against their associated controlmembers.
 5. A control mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein saidforce-applying means includes bearing blocks slidably mounted in saidsupport means adjacent the endmost ball detent members and meanscooperating with said support means for urging said bearing blockstowards each other and against said endmost ball detents whereby each ofsaid detent balls is forced into contact with said engaging means toproduce said angularly related forces.
 6. A control mechanism as definedin claim 4, wherein said interconnecting means comprises a plurality ofgenerally trapezoidally shaped members, each of said members beingpositioned between an adjacent pair of individual detent means andhaving oppositely inclined surfaces lying in said intersectingtangential planes and adapted to contact said ball detents for applyingsaid angularly related forces thereto.
 7. A control mechanism as definedin claim 4, wherein said interconnecting means includes at least oneforce-transmitting ball positioned between said adjacent ball detents,each of said force-transmitting balls being offset from said balldetents whereby they are adapted to engage said detents at said twopoints and apply said angularly related forces thereto.
 8. A controlmechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said control members arealigned in a generally circular array in said support members.
 9. Acontrol mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said support meanscomprises a plurality of individual support sections each of saidsupport sections containing at least one of said control members andmeans for operably interconnecting said support sections to form anintegral pushbutton control mechanism.
 10. A control mechanism asdefined in claim 3, wherein said support means comprises a plurality ofpivotally interconnected support sections, each of said sections beingadapted to contain at least one of said control members.
 11. A controlmechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said control members aregenerally cylindrically shaped members adapted to be rotated within saidhousings.
 12. A control mechanism for switching units or the like,comprising a plurality of elongated pushbutton control members eachincluding a recessed surface portion and being adapted to be alternatelymoved between first and second operative positions, support meansmovably receiving the recessed portions of said control members andadapted to contain said control members between said first and secondpositions, means for biasing said control members towards their firstposition, a ball detent slidably contained in said support meansadjacent each of said control members and adapted to engage therespective recessed portion thereof when the associated control memberis moved to said second position, a plurality of trapezoidally shapeddetent biasing members slidable within said support means, each of saidbiasing members being positioned between an adjacent pair of balldetents, said biasing members having their nonparallel sides contactingsaid adjacent ball detents and defining an angle therebetween openingtowards their respective control members, means urging saiddetent-biasing members towards each other to apply a biasing force toeach of said detents at their points of contact with said nonparallelsides, said forces combining to provide a resultant force urging saidball detents against their associated control members, whereby, as oneof said control members is moved from its first to its second positionits associated ball detent is moved into the respective recessed portionthereof by said resultant force to hold said one control member in saidsecond position against the action of said biasing means, the biasingforces applied to the remainder of said detents being decreased by saidball detent movement to allow any control member previously in saidfirst position to be returned to its second position by said biasingmeans.